Listening outside the UK

Why are there advertisements on podcasts accessed outside the UK?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:43:36 +0000

Why are there advertisements on podcasts accessed outside the UK?

On 1st May 2018, the ��˿�� introduced advertising on podcasts delivered outside the UK.

If you're in the UK and are incorrectly getting advertising on podcasts, visit the following page for help resolving this: I'm in the UK. Why am I getting advertisements on podcasts?

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Will my podcasts download automatically while I'm away on holiday?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:43:36 +0000

Will my podcasts download automatically while I'm away on holiday?

That depends on the podcast software you use.

Most podcast software will check podcast feeds regularly and download new episodes automatically. However, it may require you making sure your computer or device is switched on, connected to the internet, and that your podcast software is running. This may not be possible or practical, so you may need to make other arrangements (e.g. asking a friend to download episodes on your behalf).

Check how long the podcast is available for

If you have subscribed to a ��˿�� podcast, but are going to be away on holiday for a while, please note that some podcast episodes are only available for seven days before being removed. That means that if you're away for longer than seven days your chosen podcast(s) might not be available to download when you get back. To find out more about podcast episode availability, please see our How long are podcasts available for? page.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Can I use ��˿�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:45 +0000

Can I use ��˿�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Notice: Starting in spring 2025, the ��˿�� Sounds website will be restricted to the UK only. You will still be able to use the ��˿�� Sounds app when you travel outside the UK on holiday for a short period of time.

If you live outside the UK or take extended trips outside the UK, please check this help page: Upcoming changes for listening to ��˿�� audio outside the UK

You can listen to most of our live and on-demand radio content from anywhere in the world.

Why can't I listen to certain programmes outside the UK?

For rights reasons, we might not be able to make certain content available outside of the UK. For example:

certain sports coverage
some music content (particularly classical music or live concerts)

When we restrict a live radio stream outside the UK, you’ll hear “This content is unavailable due to technical or rights reasons.” If an on-demand programme is restricted, you'll see a "Sorry, this content can only be played in the UK" message on the app and a “Not available” message on the website.

If you're in the UK but you're seeing or hearing a message telling you that certain content isn't available, check our Why do you think I'm outside the UK? page for more advice.

Can I download programmes or podcasts while I'm outside the UK?

You can download most of our podcasts (depending on rights) from the ��˿�� Sounds app or website from outside of the UK. Find out how:

For rights reasons, you can't download radio programmes (that haven't been made into podcasts) from outside the UK.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Can I download podcasts and programmes outside of the UK?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:46:29 +0000

Can I download podcasts and programmes outside of the UK?

Notice: Starting in spring 2025, ��˿�� Sounds will be restricted to listeners who live in the UK. ��˿�� Studios have launched new audio services at bbc.com and on the ��˿�� app and includes podcasts. You can read more about these changes on our help page: Upcoming changes for listening to ��˿�� audio outside the UK

You can download most podcasts on the ��˿�� Sounds app or from the ��˿�� Sounds website from outside of the UK. This includes using the website on your phone or tablet browser. Some podcasts can only be downloaded within the UK due to rights agreements which prevent us from making the content available internationally. Music and sports programmes are most likely to be restricted.

You can't download radio programmes on the ��˿�� Sounds app from outside the UK. Again, this is due to rights restrictions.

Download before you go

If you're travelling outside of the UK, consider downloading programmes and podcasts before you go.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

How do I use ��˿�� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:10:03 +0000

How do I use ��˿�� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

You can use ��˿�� Sounds by visiting www.bbc.com/sounds or by installing the ��˿�� Sounds app.

The ��˿�� Sounds app is available on devices running Amazon Fire 6, Android 7 or iOS 15 and above. Just search '��˿�� Sounds' in your app store. If your device doesn't meet those requirements, or if you're in a location where the app isn't available, you can use the ��˿�� Sounds website instead.

Do I need to sign in to use ��˿�� Sounds?

Yes, to use the ��˿�� Sounds app you'll need to log in with a ��˿�� account. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a ��˿�� account if you don't already have one. For help signing in or creating an account, visit the ��˿�� account help site.

Why isn't the ��˿�� Sounds app available in my country?

Currently, the ��˿�� Sounds app is not available in India, China, Russia or Vietnam as the local data rules in these countries do not comply with the ��˿��’s privacy policies, which you can read here: Using the ��˿��: Your Information & Privacy. If this situation changes, we will update this page.

Just so you know...

For rights reasons, it isn't possible to download radio programmes from outside the UK. But you can download podcasts on the ��˿�� Sounds app or from the ��˿�� website. Here's how:

We're also not able to make some content available outside the UK, including the Radio 5 live sports extra station, CBeebies Radio, certain sports and music coverage. Other programmes may also be available within the UK only, but again this will be due to rights agreements.

Anonymous (not verified) 28 September 2020

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:50:02 +0000

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

If you live in the UK and you aren't seeing links to ��˿�� Sounds on our website, it might be because we think you're outside the UK. This would result in being directed to the bbc.com website, intended for international users, rather than bbc.co.uk, which serves our UK audience.

In February 2025, ��˿��.com launched a new audio experience, replacing links to Sounds. You can read more about this at ��˿��.com: ��˿�� Podcasts and audio are now available on ��˿��.com.

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

There are several reasons why we think you're outside the UK. The most common are either:

Your IP address, which is the address websites use to determine where in the world you are, not being registered in the UK
You are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), proxy, or similar service which masks your IP address

But you can do something about it.

This page will explain what can be done and will also list other possible reasons why this could be happening and what to do.

Using a VPN or proxy? Try disabling it.

If you are using a VPN or proxy service and are in the UK, try disabling it to see if that helps. If we detect you might be using a VPN, you’ll be unable to play UK-restricted programmes. This is because we need to be confident you're in the UK, and if you're using a VPN or proxy, we can't detect reliably where you are.
Maybe your IP address isn't registered in the UK?

If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has supplied you with a recently created or newly sourced IP address, it may be that it hasn't been registered correctly or sometimes it may just take a few weeks for the various databases across the internet and our own database to be updated to recognise the IP address as being located within the UK.

You should check with your ISP whether this could be the case before deciding to contact our support team.
Check your IP address yourself

While not definitive, there are various IP checking websites, such as www.whatismyip.com or www.whatismyipaddress.com for example, that will list your IP address, where it believes you are, whether any services (such as a VPN) are being used, and what ISP the address is registered with.

If those details are different to what you believe are correct, contact your ISP as it's possible the IP address has been recently obtained by your ISP, or it may not be registered correctly, or is awaiting certain databases to be added, which could take a few weeks.

If you are going to contact our support team, please include your ISP details.
Web accelerator

If you're using a web accelerator, try disabling it to see if that helps.
Work computer

Some companies and organisations might have an internal network which routes data outside the UK. It's worth checking with your company's IT support to confirm.
Tor Network

If you are using or participating in the Tor network, be aware that you need to use a Tor relay node for our systems to confirm you are in the UK.
Using a mobile device?

In addition to the above guidance, check whether any data reduction features are set in your browser settings as some mobile browsers route data outside the UK when data reduction features are used.

Chrome may refer to this as ‘Reduce data usage’ in Bandwidth Management and Opera may refer to this as ‘off road’ or ‘Turbo mode’ depending on your browser version. And remember to check your browser is up to date. You can also try another browser.

Also, data compression apps may route data outside the UK, so try disabling them.
Subscribed to podcasts?

On 1st May 2018, the ��˿�� introduced advertising on podcasts delivered outside the UK. If podcasts you’re subscribed to download automatically when they become available and you spot the odd podcast with advertisements even though you're in the UK, it's possible that one of the above circumstances (like being on a VPN enabled network) may have occurred when the podcast was downloaded.

Anonymous (not verified) 26 September 2023

Upcoming changes for listening to ��˿�� audio outside the UK

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:00:03 +0000

Upcoming changes for listening to ��˿�� audio outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, how you listen to ��˿�� radio will change, starting from spring 2025.

Instead of using ��˿�� Sounds, you’ll be able to use a new service at ��˿��.com and on the ��˿�� app. ��˿�� Studios has launched these all-new audio environments, tailored to outside UK audiences. The ��˿��’s content will remain available on other international podcast platforms.

International listeners will no longer be able to use the ��˿�� Sounds app and website from spring 2025.

You can find out more about these changes on the bbc.com website.

Advice for UK Listeners travelling abroad

For listeners who reside in the UK, you will still be able to use the ��˿�� Sounds mobile app when you are abroad. Check our FAQ for further info: Can I use ��˿�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Why are we making these changes?

��˿�� Sounds is a UK licence fee funded service. To offer better value for our UK listeners, ��˿�� Sounds will be repositioned and made available exclusively to UK audiences.

��˿�� Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the ��˿�� and is focused on bringing our trusted, world class journalism and storytelling to international audiences. This includes ��˿�� audio content on bbc.com and the ��˿�� app, which will be focused to international listeners.

Support for listeners Outside the UK

If you live outside of the UK and have a query regarding listening to ��˿�� radio and audio content, please visit the support page at bbc.com where you can find help and contact their support team.

Anonymous (not verified) 06 March 2025

Listening outside the UK

Why are there advertisements on podcasts accessed outside the UK?

Will my podcasts download automatically while I'm away on holiday?

Check how long the podcast is available for

Can I use ���˿��� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Why can't I listen to certain programmes outside the UK?

Can I download programmes or podcasts while I'm outside the UK?

Can I download podcasts and programmes outside of the UK?

Download before you go

How do I use ���˿��� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

Do I need to sign in to use ���˿��� Sounds?

Why isn't the ���˿��� Sounds app available in my country?

Just so you know...

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

But you can do something about it.

Upcoming changes for listening to ���˿��� audio outside the UK

Advice for UK Listeners travelling abroad

Why are we making these changes?

Support for listeners Outside the UK

Can I use ��˿�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

How do I use ��˿�� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

Do I need to sign in to use ��˿�� Sounds?

Why isn't the ��˿�� Sounds app available in my country?

Upcoming changes for listening to ��˿�� audio outside the UK